IOWA CITY, Ia. — The early signing period knocked out the area’s heavy hitters — names like Iowa City West’s Dillon Doyle and Solon’s Tyler Linderbaum — but a solid crop of Iowa City-area prospects waited until Wednesday to cement their futures.

Here’s a look at the area’s top storylines from National Signing Day:

Regina-Northwest Missouri State connection continues

The Northwest Missouri State football program has been good to Regina in recent seasons, and that’ll continue with the signing of two-way standout Isaac Vollstedt. The All-Iowa Class 1A first-team selection follows in the footsteps of former Regal Jake Brinkman and his brother Jacob Vollstedt, who’ve both played for the Bearcats in recent seasons.

“Jacob was always putting in good input for me,” Vollstedt said, “but he was never trying to push me to go there. He was a good mentor for me throughout the whole process.”

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Regina's Isaac Vollstedt signs a letter of intent to play at Northwest Missouri State on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. (Photo: David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen)

Vollstedt had a Minnesota State offer in addition to the Bearcats, but he said Northwest Missouri State won “in a landslide.” The 6-foot, 200-pounder will play linebacker at the next level and had high praise for the Bearcats’ defensive scheme. Vollstedt racked up 47.5 tackles, two tackles for losses and two sacks as a senior.

Like Regina, Northwest Missouri State has morphed into a perennial power, having won four Division II national titles since 2008.

“Coming from one program with a great tradition to another,” Vollstedt said, “it’s going to be a great transition.”

Upper Iowa lands one of Class 1A's best

A second Regina standout is heading to the Division II ranks. Defensive end Cole White inked with Upper Iowa University on Wednesday after two dominant upperclassmen seasons. White was a 2016 All-Iowa Elite Team selection while at Clear Creek Amana, and little changed once he transferred to the Regals.

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Regina's Cole White signs a letter of intent to play at Upper Iowa on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. (Photo: David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen)

Despite having to sit out the first three games in 2017, White produced 50.5 total tackles, nine solo sacks and 10 TFLs. He drew interest from multiple Division II, Division III and NAIA schools, but Upper Iowa’s intimacy and location ultimately sealed the deal.

“It’s not a huge school. It’s not overwhelming,” White said of the private university located in Fayette. “I like to hunt and fish, and that’s what they have. I definitely think I fit into the mentality of their program as well.”

White said he could’ve walked on at some bigger schools, but felt that the Peacocks’ program and coaching staff provided the best fit. He’ll join a squad that went 6-5 last season and finished fifth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference’s south division.

“I’m just excited for the opportunity,” Postler said. “My high school career had some rough patches in a lot of places, so I’m really looking forward to getting out to California and getting a fresh start and being able to just play my game.”

Postler transferred from West High to CCA for his senior season and had mixed results leading the Clippers, throwing for 1,561 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. The 6-foot-5 quarterback said he had options at the NAIA and Division II levels, but decided on the junior-college route in hopes of fine-tuning his game before possibly making a bigger jump.

“My brother actually lives out in California,” Postler said. “He had a baby, so we all went out and visited during Christmas time. I contacted three JUCOs and visited all three while I was out there. I liked Moorpark the most and thought this was the best decision.”

'One of the greatest accomplishments of my life'

After breaking through as City High’s starting running back this season, Davonte Foster was rewarded Wednesday in signing with NAIA Waldorf University. Foster has only been playing football for a few seasons following his move to Iowa City from Chicago.

Wednesday’s festivities were more than going through the motions.

"To most people, (signing day) may not seem like as big of deal as it seems to me," Foster said. "But to me, it’s up there as one of the greatest accomplishments of my life because being from where I’m from, you’re either projected to end up dead or in jail. I’ve got like six or seven friends who are in jail facing 15, 30 years, and I’ve got friends who are dead — life ended when they were 14, 15.

"And for me to be here signing to a college — not only to continue my education and a degree, but to play college football — it’s amazing and a blessing. I’m grateful for everything."

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City High's Davonte Foster runs down field during the Little Hawks' game against West High at City High on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. (Photo: David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen)

Foster missed time in 2017 with an ankle injury but still produced 460 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 81 carries. He’ll fit in nicely with Waldorf’s high-powered offense that averaged 32 points per game last season.

"They have a very strong running game, and the running game means a lot to their offense," Foster said. “In order for the offense to get running, they have to be able to run the football. Their coaching staff was just telling me they do a two-back set, so there will be a lot of chances for me to get a lot of reps. Plus, they just lost two starting running backs to personal issues, so they were really recruiting backs hard.”

Foster wasn’t the only Little Hawk to cement a college football future Wednesday. Bryce Hunger signed with Minnesota State, and Marquel Poole inked with William Penn.

Dargan Southard covers preps, recruiting, Iowa and UNI athletics for the Iowa City Press-Citizen, The Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.